Colchester councillor reacts after girl 12, is attacked by man

Essex Police are investigating an assault which took place in Queen Elizabeth Way, Colchester, at about 4.30pm on March 25.

The incident involved a 12-year-old girl who was reportedly attacked by a man as she attempted to retrieve a football from the road.

As a result of the attack, which the Gazette has only just been made aware of, the victim sustained bruising and had to be treated for her injuries at a hospital.

The suspect, who has been described as being white and slim with light brown hair, was wearing gloves with spiked pads on at the time of the assault.

Dave Harris, Colchester councillor for Berechurch who also lives near to where the incident took place, said he is disgusted to hear of such an attack happening in his ward.

He said: "This is really shocking and it is not the sort of thing you expect to happen, especially not to a child.

"We are thinking of the girl and her family and if they need our support then we are here - there is a very strong community here and we all look out for each other.

"I live in the next road and this is very out of the ordinary for this area, so it has saddened us all because a child is a child and we have to respect them - what this man has done is unforgivable."

Essex Police have now launched an investigation into the incident and are urging anyone who can help officers track down the man in question to contact them.

A spokesman for the force said: “We are appealing for information following an assault in Colchester where a 12 year-old girl was attacked.

“We need anyone who saw anything or has any CCTV, dash cam, or doorbell footage to contact us.

“If you have any information you can submit a report online at essex.police.uk or use the Live Chat button to speak to an online operator between 7am-11pm.

“Alternatively, you can also call us on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting the crime reference number 42/79813/22.”